AIRPORT

Rio de Janeiro has five airports of which two are used for commercial flights:

The safest ways to travel from the airport are by taxi or private transfer. To get a taxi from the airport, it is best to go to the taxi desks inside the airport arrival area. The three following companies TRANSCOOPASS, COOTRAMO and COOPERTRAMO are advised and charge a R$99 flat fee to go to the Windsor Barra (price at June 2009).
Avoid people who approach you to offer a taxi.

BUSINESS HOURS

CONVERSIONS

The metric system is used in Brazil.

 

CURRENCY

The currency in Brazil is the Real (R$) and is divided into 100 cents.
Click here to check the conversion rate.

ELECTRICITY

Electricity outlets in Rio are for 110 volts.
Adapters are recommended as three different types of plugs are used

FOOD AND DRINKS

The Brazilian staple diet, even today, relies on what is plentiful and naturally available in the country.
Root vegetables are essential dayto- day items.

SAFETY

Although many parts of the country and city can be safely visited by tourists, delegates are advised to take appropriate precautions. Safety tip guidelines will be available at hotels, tourism information offices, the Forum website and at the Forum welcome desk.

V I S A

All participants, exhibitors and visitors are reminded that a visa may be required for foreign citizens entering Brazil and that they should apply for a visa at their local Brazilian consulate or embassy.

To determine whether you require a visa to enter Brazil, please visit the following website:

https://scedv.serpro.gov.br/frscedv/index.jsp

Should you need an official invitation letter for visa application purposes, you may contact the Organising Secretariat who will be able to assist you with it.

To find out if you need a visa to visit Rio de Janeiro, please consult your Brazilian Embassy or Consulate. No exhibition, registration fee and accommodation deposit refunds will be issued for cancellation or non-attendance due to failure to obtain a visa.

CITY TRANSPORTATION

Rio’s public transport system is cheap and effective. Buses are the most popular form of transport as there are lines connecting the entire city, but keep an eye out for pickpockets. Taxis are easily available and the subway system, although small, is safe and reliable. Driving around the city in a rental car is notoriously difficult so it is preferable to hire a car with a driver.

Taxis: Yellow taxis run by meter (always make sure the meter is turned on) and can be hailed in the street. They can also be ordered in advance – example; JB Taxis (Tel. +55 2501-3026). For your own security, it is standard practice not to stop at red lights after dark.

TAXES

The standard rate of the valueadded tax (VAT) in Rio de Janeiro is 19%. The rate varies within the country.

VAT is most often included in all prices. Hotels have two taxes (10% and 5%) that are not always included.

TELEPHONE

For international calls to:

TIPPING

Taxi drivers do not expect substantial tips, whilst hotel staff are likely to expect at least five reais. In restaurants, if service charge is not included you may consider giving a tip of between 10 and 15 percent. Remember not to tip public servants, as the action may easily be misinterpreted as a bribe.

TIME

Time in Rio de Janeiro is GMT/UTC - 3 hours (daylight saving +1 hour applicable mid October to mid February).

If it is 2:00 pm in Rio at the time of the Forum, it will be:

WEATHER

Situated in the tropical South Atlantic, Rio de Janeiro is warm all year round. Summers, between November and March, are very hot and humid. Winters are cool and dry, never cold, with some precipitation, lasting only from June to September. Temperatures in October range from 20 to 26°C.